Emergency by Kangana Ranaut to be censored again; Censor Board lets film release on this condition
A new decision has come up regarding Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency. This brings the movie under further cuts now.
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has apprised Bombay High Court on Thursday (26 Sep) that the censor certificate for the movie can be issued if those scenes of the movie are removed as suggested by the Review Committee of the Board. Initially, it was scheduled for September 6 but it had to be postponed as the certificate wasn’t issued. Kangana Ranaut, who has directed and also co-produced the film, is also playing former PM Indira Gandhi. She has also blamed CBFC for delaying it by withholding the certificate.
This biographical film landed itself in a controversy when Sikh organizations such as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) accused it of portraying the Sikh community in wrong aspects and distorting historical facts. Last week, Justices B.P. Colabawala and Firdaus Pooniwala chided the CBFC for being unable to pass a judgment on the issuance of a certificate.
Censorship Conditions for Emergency
The CBFC Thursday (September 26) told the Bombay High Court that it would issue a certificate for Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency if some of the scenes that are present in it are edited as recommended by the Board’s Review Committee. This is why Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, that was to release on September 6, now seems to be delayed as it awaits a certificate. Kangana Ranaut writes and co-produces, besides starring, this film as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It had accused the CBFC of stalling the release of the film by not providing the certificate.
The biopic, it seems, has been mired in controversy as some Sikh organizations, like Shiromani Akali Dal SAD had objected to the film alleging that it would misrepresent their community and distort all historical facts. Last week, Justice B.P. Colabawala and Justice Firdaus Pooniwala also came down heavy on the CBFC for its indecisiveness regarding a certificate for the film.
The High Court had previously indicated that the CBFC could not remain silent and must take a decision. The court warned that if it does not do so, then it would amount to curbing freedom of expression. The CBFC was asked to take its decision by September 25. Co-producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises filed a petition in the High Court, requesting the CBFC to issue the required certificate for Emergency.
On Thursday, the bench asked if the CBFC had any “good news” about the film. Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, arguing on behalf of the CBFC, told the court that the review committee has reached a decision. “The committee has suggested removal of certain scenes before issue of certificate. After this, the film can be released,” Chandrachud said.
Senior advocate Sharan Jagtiani, for Zee Entertainment, sought time to think over whether scenes from the film may be cut. The bench then scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 30. In its petition, Zee Entertainment had claimed that the CBFC had already issued certificate for the film but was not releasing it.
Last week, Zee Entertainment made an allegation that the movie was being withheld for political reasons because of the elections in Haryana that are to be held soon. The bench expressed its surprise and was perplexed why the ruling party should fight Ranaut who is the daughter of the Bhartiya Janata Party.
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